Formula 1 News: Former F1 drivers say Verstappen better than Hamilton, Senna and Schumacher

It’s the ultimate hypothetical that always ignites the greatest debate in Formula 1: put every legendary driver from the last 25 years in identical cars at Silverstone — who wins?

Former F1 driver and Sky Sports expert Anthony Davidson has delivered his verdict without hesitation: Max Verstappen.

Speaking on the latest episode of The F1 Show podcast, Davidson was asked the question by tennis legend Tim Henman — line up the stars of the modern era in equal machinery, who comes out on top?

“I would choose Max Verstappen,” Davidson stated clearly. “He’s just at the top of his game. Obviously not in a good place with his car right now, but what he did last year against the two dominant McLarens… The speed he’s got in GTs… he can jump in most things and be quick.”

Davidson believes Verstappen’s blistering one-lap pace, racecraft, adaptability and sheer feel would see him beat not only Lewis Hamilton but even Michael Schumacher — the two giants who, along with Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, dominate the championship records of the 21st century.

But the endorsements don’t stop with drivers from the last 25 years.

Even those who raced wheel-to-wheel against the legendary Ayrton Senna are now openly saying Verstappen has surpassed the Brazilian icon as well.

Gerhard Berger, Senna’s McLaren teammate from 1990 to 1992 and one of the very few men who battled the three-time champion at his absolute peak, has repeatedly changed his long-held view.

“I said before that Senna was the best driver of all time,” Berger declared. “But I have to say, I think Max Verstappen is now even better than that. He has skills that I haven’t seen yet.”

Berger, who for decades regarded Senna as the undisputed greatest, has doubled down in multiple interviews: “Until a while back, I would have even said he [Senna] was the greatest of all time. But Verstappen is raising the level.”

Other veterans who competed directly against Senna — including Stefan Johansson and Marc Surer — have echoed similar thoughts, calling Verstappen the most complete driver they have ever witnessed and predicting he will go down as the greatest of all time.

The timing couldn’t be more perfect. Verstappen’s heroic 2025 season — where he dragged a struggling Red Bull to within two points of champion Lando Norris despite being over 100 points adrift mid-year — is already being labelled one of the greatest runner-up performances in F1 history. His current success racing the Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo (with Toto Wolff’s personal blessing and the full support of Mercedes-AMG) only reinforces the versatility and adaptability Davidson and the Senna-era drivers rave about.

The “equal cars” test has always been seen as the purest way to judge raw talent — stripping away machinery advantage and leaving only the driver. And right now, the verdict from both modern experts like Davidson and legends who actually drove against Senna is unanimous.

Max isn’t just winning titles. He’s forcing the entire sport — including those who lived through the Senna era — to rewrite the history books.

With Red Bull’s 2026 struggles well documented and last year’s courting by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff still fresh in the paddock’s memory (as exclusively reported by AutoRacing1.com), the idea of Verstappen eventually sliding into a silver arrow feels less like speculation and more like destiny.

Anthony Davidson has spoken for the last 25 years. Gerhard Berger—who knew Senna better than almost anyone—has gone further.

At Just 28, Verstappen Is Already Obliterating the Records Set by Hamilton and Schumacher

The numbers paint a staggering picture of Max Verstappen’s early dominance.

With Hamilton’s all-time record standing at 7 titles and over 105 wins, and Schumacher on 7 titles and 91 wins, Verstappen — still only 28 and with many prime years remaining — is firmly on pace to not only match but comfortably surpass both legends.

The greatest driver debate isn’t over… but the evidence is mounting faster than ever.